Knock, knock, knock.
The moment the knocking began, Petunia stepped forward in one large stride and reached the door. Her hand trembled slightly as she gripped the knob and pulled it open.
An elderly man with a long white beard stood on the doorstep. Behind him loomed a wall of dark brown leather—except it wasn't a wall at all. A massive, furry black head lowered, revealing that the "wall" was actually an enormous giant of a man.
Standing over three meters tall, Hagrid's body was as wide as two doors shoved together. His arms were thicker than an adult's waist, and his hands looked big enough to crush a skull without effort. The strength radiating off him was overwhelming, like facing a rearing Kodiak bear—if the bear were the size of a small truck.
Even so, Petunia didn't retreat a single step. She stood guard in front of the doorway like a protective lioness.
Dumbledore's eyebrows lifted slightly. The Petunia he remembered and the Petunia standing before him now felt like two different people entirely.
"It's been a long time, Petunia. I wonder if you still remember me?"
"You're Headmaster Dumbledore, aren't you? Ten years ago, you were the one who brought Li… Holly here."
"She was still a chubby little baby back then. Very cute. And him— I remember him too. He's the one who carried her."
She pointed toward Hagrid. The half-giant blinked in surprise, touched that a Muggle woman had remembered him at all.
"Wait, hold on." Hagrid scratched his wild beard. "Did you just say she? Isn't Harry a boy?"
"That's the reason we're here, Hagrid," Dumbledore said gently, calming his confusion. "Perhaps we can discuss it inside?"
"Of course. Please come in."
Petunia stepped aside. With Dumbledore guiding him, even Hagrid's massive frame managed to slip through the doorway without breaking it.
But the moment the two wizards entered the living room, they froze.
They weren't the only ones.
Hagrid's reaction lagged a few seconds behind Dumbledore's. He pointed at Dudley, baffled, then at Lynn.
"Which one is Harry?"
"If I'm not mistaken," Dumbledore said, taking a seat on the sofa, "it should be her."
His gaze settled on Holly, who sat beside Lynn, stiff with nerves.
"You haven't forgotten what Lily looked like when she was young, have you, Hagrid?"
"Of course not— Lily? That's impo—"
The words died in his throat.
Hagrid stared. Hard. He rubbed his eyes with a hand the size of a dinner plate. Then he leaned forward and stared again.
There was no denying it.
The girl in front of him looked so much like Lily Evans that she might as well have been her reflection. She had Lily's eyes, Lily's face shape, Lily's expression. Anyone who'd ever met Lily would recognize the resemblance immediately.
"Why's she a girl? How— why?!"
Hagrid plopped onto the floor with a heavy thud. Even sitting, he towered over everyone. His eyes stayed locked on Holly.
"But I— I remember—"
"Huh?"
"That's impossible!"
His brain short-circuited completely.
"Did I get it wrong? Or is this some kind of… prank? A joke? James loved pranking people, but he wouldn't—"
"Harry really is a girl now."
Petunia cut in firmly. "I checked. There's no mistake."
"I don't know why this happened, but I do have a theory."
Sherlock Petunia Holmes began her deduction. Vernon occasionally chimed in. After days of brainstorming together, they had crafted an internally consistent explanation so convincing that even Dumbledore lost track of the conversation at one point.
Hagrid just stared, mouth open, looking like someone had smacked him with a frying pan.
"You think this was Lily's… protection for Holly?" Dumbledore asked. His voice sounded parched. He didn't want to accept that explanation, but the problem was… ten years ago, none of them had opened the baby's swaddling blanket to check anything. And even if Harry had been a boy back then, the fact remained:
Harry was now Holly.
"What else could it be?" Petunia shook her head. "Lily was always brilliant. If she realized she and her child were in danger, it wouldn't be strange for her to prepare something like this."
"But…"
Dumbledore almost choked on air. He wanted to say that Professor Trelawney's prophecy had been about a boy born at the end of July, not a girl. But then something clicked in his mind.
A child born to those who have thrice defied him… born as the seventh month dies…
Frank and Alice… their son Neville… wasn't he born at the end of July too?
Did Tom choose wrong? Or…
Dumbledore sank into deep thought, lines of worry cutting across his forehead. The expression didn't suit him at all.
After a long stretch of silence, he exhaled a slow breath.
"Well… what's done is done. Let's discuss why I came here today."
He turned toward the two children on the couch.
"Miss Holly Potter. Mister Lynn."
"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm here to invite both of you to study magic at Hogwarts. There, our professors will teach you how to control and properly channel your power."
"If your power is suppressed too strongly, or if it bursts out incorrectly, the consequences can be disastrous."
"For example, an Obscurus may form. It is a dark, parasitic force that kills its host and unleashes devastation over a wide area. Thankfully, such tragedies have become rare since magical education became widespread. With proper guidance, every young witch and wizard can grow safely."
"Magic is real. It exists in our world, though only a portion of people are born able to use it."
Dumbledore tapped the coffee table with his wand. It melted into a patch of green grass. Dozens of flowers sprouted instantly, filling the living room with their scent.
"Can… can I learn magic too?" Dudley stared at the flowers, hypnotized.
"I'm afraid not," Dumbledore said solemnly. "Even children of two wizards sometimes lack magical ability. Among Muggle families, the chance of a child being born with magic is about one in ten thousand."
"To become a wizard is rare. But you don't need to be discouraged. As Holly's family, you're allowed to visit the wizarding world. And in your home, you may keep certain simple magical items, provided no other Muggles discover them. That rule is part of the Statute of Secrecy."
"If the Statute is broken, Ministry of Magic employees will arrive immediately. They handle memory modification, restoring appearances… and issuing fines when necessary. In serious cases, the privilege of owning magical items may be revoked."
Dudley brightened a little. He shot a jealous look at Holly and Lynn. He couldn't be a wizard, but at least he had more access to magic than normal people.
Although the Forced Exercise House didn't count. He wanted that thing gone. Forever.
"Now then," Dumbledore continued, "I invite all of you, as Holly's family, to visit Diagon Alley. It is where young witches and wizards purchase their school supplies. Most importantly, it is where they obtain their first wand."
"Hagrid would be delighted to serve as your guide. Please try not to lose him. That would cause unnecessary complications."
"And one more matter."
He looked at Lynn.
"Hogwarts offers financial aid to students in difficult circumstances. Wizarding currency is separate from Muggle money. The amount isn't large, but it's enough to purchase all required school supplies. Though you may need to buy some textbooks secondhand."
Dumbledore handed him a small pouch of coins. He already knew Lynn's background.
"Is there a way for me to exchange money for wizarding currency?" Lynn asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Of course. Gringotts Wizarding Bank offers Muggle-born students currency exchange services. There is a limit. If you need more, you may exchange gold directly. One gram of gold equals one Galleon."
"So… around five pounds for one Galleon?"
"Yes. The goblins can explain the details once you arrive."
"And Holly— your parents left a vault for you at Gringotts. You'll receive the key once you're officially a Hogwarts student. I've been keeping it safe for you until now."
Dumbledore drew a small golden key from his robes and placed it gently in Holly's palm.
"Thank you… Professor Dumbledore." Holly curled her fingers tightly around the key.
"You're very welcome."
He stood up with a warm smile.
"Hagrid will take care of the rest."
He handed Petunia a parchment map.
"This is the route to the entrance of Diagon Alley, through The Leaky Cauldron. I assume you'll be driving."
With that, Dumbledore inclined his head and prepared to take his leave.